--- title: "Expert Pipe Welder: 24 Weeks, $35,800 All-Inclusive | Western Welding Academy" url: "https://www.westernweldingacademy.com/courses/expert-pipe-welder" --- ![](/_astro/welder-booth-arc-portrait.Cnb0CMLZ_Z1KXj4I.jpg) 1. [Home](/) 2. /[Programs](/courses) 3. /Expert Pipe Welder Pipe welding program · Gillette, WY # Expert Pipe Welder Every process, every position. The full path. - 24 weeks - 960 hours - $35,800 all-inclusive [Apply now](/apply) [Schedule a tour](/schedule-a-tour)[Booth hold · $350](/booth-hold) Program overview ## 24 weeks. One all-in price. Expert Pipe Welder at Western Welding Academy in Gillette, Wyoming: 24 weeks (960 hours), $35,800 all-inclusive (tuition, tools and gear, housing). A $350 booth hold payment reserves your start date. A $500 housing deposit applies to student housing. Both are paid in addition to the program price. - 24weeks on site - 960training hours - 85%85% of class time in the boothof class time in the booth Program summary ## Expert Pipe Welder Length 24 weeks · 960 hours Location Gillette, WY All-inclusive price $35,800 What's included - Tuition - Tools and gear - Housing Booth hold payment $350 Housing deposit $500 Paid in addition to the program price. [Apply now](/apply) [Schedule a tour](/schedule-a-tour)[Reserve with a booth hold](/booth-hold) [(307) 284-5313](tel:+1-307-284-5313) Curriculum ## Master everything At Western Welding Academy, over **85% of your training happens in the welding booth**, where real skills are built. The remaining 15% is spent in the classroom, mastering blueprints, welding specifications, and industry standards that separate amateurs from professionals. W1 · 3 wksW2 · 9 wksW3 · 7 wksW4 · 5 wks 1. 1 Welder 1 · 3 weeks ### Intro to Stick Welding Master the Fundamentals of Stick Welding Start with the basics. Learn how to control the puddle, burn a rod, and run clean beads in all positions. Then move on to welding simple joints with stick (SMAW). No experience needed - this is where it all begins. 2. 2 Welder 2 · 9 weeks ### Stick Welding & Pipe Fundamentals Master Open Root & Pipe Welding Take your SMAW skills to the next level with open root welds on plate and pipe in all positions. Finish with a 2” 6G pipe test and earn your first certification (ASME Section IX). This is your intro to real pipe welding. 3. 3 Welder 3 · 7 weeks ### Intro to TIG & Combo Welding Master TIG and Combo Welding Learn the ins and outs of TIG (GTAW) welding on plate and pipe. Then combine TIG and Stick in advanced pipe positions. Finish with a TIG-only and combo weld test to earn your ASME Section IX certification. 4. 4 Welder 4 · 5 weeks ### Stainless or Downhill Pipe Master High-Pressure & Specialty Pipe Specialize in high-demand welding. TIG stainless or downhill pipe welding—your choice. Graduate with top-tier certifications (ASME or API) used in refineries, plants, and pipelines. Careers ## Jobs you'll be qualified for Our **Expert Welding Program** gives you the hands-on skills and certifications needed to work in high-demand industries across the country — and beyond. Grads go on to careers in: - Stainless TIG - Food Grade Facilities - Alloy Equipment - Sanitary Facilities - Pipeline (If downhill certification is obtained) - Compressor Stations - Carbon TIG - Millwright's - Welder Mechanic - Structural - Power Plants - Gas Plants - Iron Worker - Refineries (Pipe only - Limited to SMAW) The backbone of industry is built in the booth. **You bring the grit. We’ll teach the rest.** [Course breakdown (PDF)](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60ad8e717a043c9678da8592/6837765316ea0895151c1821_PDF%20-%20Course%20Breakdown.pdf) Tuition and fees ## How much does the Expert Pipe Welder program cost? | Tuition | $28,300 | | --- | --- | | Tools and gear | $1,700 | | Housing | $5,800 | | Total program priceAll-inclusive: tuition, tools and gear, housing | $35,800 | | Booth hold payment (not included in total) | $350 | | Housing deposit (not included in total) | $500 | Prices effective October 10, 2026. [Financing options](/financial-aid) [Scholarships](/scholarships) [How the booth hold works](/booth-hold) All-inclusive ## What's included - ![](/_astro/booth-interior.Dsb3MRdE_9BvoJ.jpg) ### Tuition $28,300 Hands-on training in the booth and the classroom, with 85% of class time in the booth. - ![](/_astro/welding-machines.CEeM5zrN_1mGaTm.jpg) ### Tools and gear $1,700 The tools and gear you train with are part of the program price. - ![](/_astro/exterior-blue.Byw2tku4_1gERJG.jpg) ### Housing $5,800 Furnished student housing at Western Lodging, with Wi-Fi and utilities covered. [See student housing](/housing) Training ## Where you'll train - ![Welder in a WWA hood running a pass on pipe](/_astro/welder-pipe-closeup.DMwq_M9I_Z1RLD1f.jpg) Welder in a WWA hood running a pass on pipe01/06 - ![Student welding inside the pipeline simulator](/_astro/pipe-simulator.B6gHFwrN_Z1gPV8P.jpg) Student welding inside the pipeline simulator02/06 - ![Students at the outdoor pipeline welding yard](/_astro/pipeline-yard-students.CsZ4-E5f_Z2gndIf.jpg) Students at the outdoor pipeline welding yard03/06 - ![Welder kneeling at a pipe joint during the WWA welding competition](/_astro/welder-kneeling-pipe.BjjyW2Le_ZnTFF4.jpg) Welder kneeling at a pipe joint during the WWA welding competition04/06 - ![Pipe yard outside the Western Welding Academy shop](/_astro/pipe-yard.D_zPIOUF_Z1ljnbk.jpg) Pipe yard outside the Western Welding Academy shop05/06 - ![Row of blue welding booths at Western Welding Academy](/_astro/booth-row-blue.Duch9v_-_ZDq9As.jpg) Row of blue welding booths at Western Welding Academy06/06 Watch ## See the shop. Take the school tour, straight from the WWA YouTube channel. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z711L2H_o6c/maxresdefault.jpg)School tourSchool Tour](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z711L2H_o6c) ![](/_astro/broll-welding.DZNg4uvK_1CgBn6.jpg) Live from the booth Real arcs. Real pipe. Every day. Graduates ## Stories from our graduates Real students, real certificates. Hear it from the welders who trained here. - ![Gavin Walden, Western Welding Academy graduate](/_astro/gavin-walden.8QR0y6nC_Zatqr.jpg) Gavin Walden Certified WWA graduate - ![David Smolek, Western Welding Academy graduate](/_astro/david-smolek.LAwQwuJq_Z2rHCaA.jpg) David Smolek Certified WWA graduate - ![Leyton Wagner, Western Welding Academy graduate](/_astro/leyton-wagner.B-AbFqsi_ZMm09U.jpg) Leyton Wagner Certified WWA graduate - > “They taught and helped me figure out absolutely everything.” ![](/_astro/gray-horton.Cy206E_m_FHSgq.jpg)Gray HortonAlpharetta, GA · Feb 2023 - > “I would go back and do it again and again if I could” ![](/_astro/alex-oliver.Rp761TBR_1FQJp7.jpg)Alex OliverGrand Forks, ND · Mar 2023 - > “I enjoyed it with promising opportunities ahead.” ![](/_astro/aidan-bratlie.C9l5pRWK_1PJEEg.jpg)Aidan BratlieShreveport, LA · Nov 2022 - > “I had an amazing time and learned so much from the instructors.” ![](/_astro/stone-ebner.DqlbJL2a_ZE1kF2.jpg)Stone EbnerNorwalk, OH · Jun 2023 [More graduate stories](/testimonials) Compare programs ## Choose your path. Forge your future. [Compare all programs](/courses) ![](/_astro/student-grinding-pipe-sparks.WueaC1Bp_Z1edkAt.jpg) 12 weeks ### [Foundational Pipe Welder](/courses/foundational-pipe-welder) Start from zero. Build the fundamentals. All-inclusive price $17,050 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program ![](/_astro/welder-booth-arc-portrait.Cnb0CMLZ_Z6TOFS.jpg) 19 weeks ### [Professional Pipe Welder](/courses/professional-pipe-welder) Go deeper on pipe. Build real hood time. All-inclusive price $27,600 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program ![](/_astro/welder-sparks-dark.B080xSG4_ZFNNLi.jpg) 12 weeks ### [Advanced Structural Welding](/courses/advanced-structural-welding) Structural steel for the building trades. All-inclusive price $25,800 Includes tuition, tools and gear, housing. View program FAQ ## Expert Pipe Welder FAQ Still wondering about something? Call admissions at [(307) 284-5313](tel:+1-307-284-5313), Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm MT. Are the homes furnished? What should I bring to campus? The homes are furnished with twin mattresses. The school does not provide linens, toiletries, or food and dishes. Are there scholarships specifically for active or former military members? We offer a 10% discount to all military service members with a DD 214. Thank you for your service! Can I bring my pet to Western Welding Academy? Pets are not allowed in our Student Housing. Does Western Welding Academy offer scholarships? We give hundreds of thousands of dollars a year away in scholarships! The best way is to be part of our yearly events! We also occasionally do giveaways for scholarships. How is the roommate matching process organized? Can I select my roommate? If you are planning on coming with a friend, let your student advisor know and we will make it happen! Is student housing included in tuition? Yes, tuition includes housing, utilities, and internet. Is transportation to and from the school campus provided? No, we do not provide transportation. We highly recommend bringing a vehicle with you but this is not required. What is Western Welding Academy's refund policy? The refund policy can be found on pages 27-28 in our student handbook. ## Ready to start the Expert Pipe Welder program? Apply in minutes. A $350 booth hold reserves your start date. [Apply now](/apply) [Booth hold](/booth-hold)[(307) 284-5313](tel:+1-307-284-5313)